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UCR Trans Guide

UCR Trans Guide

Freedom to Be Yourself

We are happy to support our transgender, genderqueer, gender nonconforming and/or gender questioning community. Use our Trans Guide to learn more about campus resources, supportive programs and special events connected to gender identity and expression at UCR. It includes guidance on everything from how to change your name on university records to local trans-related community resources.

Asterisk is a trans* and allies group on the UCR campus created to offer open discussions on gender identity and expression issues, spread trans* awareness, organize events and programs, and get involved with trans* activism. The group founded the Asterisk Trans* Conference in 2014.

UCR hosted the third annual Asterisk Trans* Conference on February 24-25, 2017. The purpose of the conference is to build community for trans* people and allies, to address trans* health and well-being, and to provide education and resources for trans* youth advocates. Asterisk of UCR students and the LGBT Resource Center organize the conference. People of all gender identities are welcome to participate. In 2016, over 500 people attended the conference.

UC Nondiscrimination Statement
The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Restroom Access Policy
Housing Student Conduct Policies
2.04 Bathrooms
Individuals should use bathrooms that correspond to their sex or gender identity, or utilize bathrooms designated gender-neutral. In the absence of an available gender-neutral bathroom, parents with children of a different gender and people with disabilities who have attendants/caregivers of a different gender are able to use male- or female-specific bathrooms. Except in the case of caregivers providing assistance, there is a limit of one person per bathroom stall at a time.

UCR Housing Policies Related to Gender Identity/Expression
Consistent with university policy and practice, UCR Housing staff responds to student needs and works to develop a nurturing community atmosphere that values diversity and promotes the dignity of all people.

UCR Housing seeks to meet a range of student needs, which can include those related to physical ability, gender identity/expression, medical condition, dietary requests, etc.

In order to provide support to students who, for whatever reason, need special accommodations due to gender identity/expression, UCR Housing needs to know that a student requires such accommodations. Current and incoming residence hall students with concerns of any kind relating to their gender identity/expression are urged to identify themselves to UCR Housing staff. Staff will not ask for any more information than is required to meet students' housing needs and all disclosed information will be kept strictly confidential.

Gender-inclusive housing placement priority will be given to students who notify UCR Housing in a timely manner that they require accommodations based on their gender identity or gender expression. Students must meet all UCR Housing contract and payment deadlines.

If UCR Housing is able to accommodate a student request, it will. In meeting the needs of students, UCR Housing consistently recognizes and respects the gender identity that the student has established.

Recognizing that students are not all alike, UCR Housing addresses concerns on a case-by-case basis. UCR Housing will always help a student, who has followed procedures, to find a comfortable and welcoming housing assignment.

Getting Help
If any student has a conflict with a roommate because of their gender identity or expression, that student should see their resident director first. Resident directors are full-time, professional staff members and have taken part in training specifically focused on gender identity/expression issues. If talking with the resident director brings no resolution, a student can discuss the matter with senior Residence Life staff and/or with the director of the LGBT Resource Center.

LGBT Resource Center staff conduct campus-wide educational trainings every quarter. You may register for each training at ucrlearning.ucr.edu by searching for "Transgender."

We offer two trainings:

LGBTQ Cultural Competency Training
Increase your cultural competency and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. Learn about terminology, the continuum of sex, gender, and sexuality, and how heterosexism, biphobia, and transphobia affect individuals and campus climate. Interact with a student panel and take away campus and community resources. This is a three-hour training that includes a panel of UCR students.

Creating a Trans-Inclusive Workplace
This workshop will increase your knowledge of gender identity and expression, diversity within the transgender community, and current UC and government resources, policies, and laws. We will address both staff and faculty concerns and provide communication skills and action tips for creating a more trans-inclusive campus and workplace. This is a two-hour training.

In 2016, UCR converted 111 restrooms on campus into gender-inclusive facilities. Each single-occupancy restroom has new signage. In addition, all new construction and buildings under heavy renovation must include gender-inclusive facilities. Additional building signage directs people to the nearest gender-inclusive facility if there is not one available in the building.

To find gender-inclusive restrooms, visit the UCR campus map and zoom in until you see the circle-triangle symbol. Click on the symbol and room number details will become visible on the left-hand side of the window. ADA-compliant facilities information is also available on the UCR campus map. The Student Recreation Center also offers a gender-inclusive locker room.

In 2005, UCR broke ground as the first public university in the nation to offer a gender-neutral housing option to all students. The option is now called gender-inclusive housing (GIH).

Any UCR student may request gender-inclusive housing on their housing application. However, priority is given to students who notify UCR Housing that they require the accommodation based on their gender identity/expression.

Gender-inclusive housing is located within Pentland Hills. When applying for GIH, be sure to also prioritize Pentland Hills as your first-choice living community.

The GIH option allows students to room with any other student, regardless of physical sex or gender identity.

If a student wishes to live in gender-inclusive housing but does not request a particular roommate, Housing will assign a roommate based on compatibility evaluations.

Pentland Hills features private, single-occupancy restrooms and showers. Gender-inclusive housing is located in the same Pentland Hills building as Stonewall Hall, but you do not have to be a part of Stonewall Hall to live in gender-inclusive housing.

UCR also allows GIH in campus apartments such as Bannockburn Village, Falkirk, Glen Mor, Oban, The Plaza and Stonehaven. However, you and a roommate must both request the living option.

You can explore this option, check out UCR Housing Policies Related to Gender Identity/Expression, and learn about Stonewall Hall (the LGBTQIA residence hall community also in Pentland Hills) at our Housing page.

Beginning with the UC admissions application for 2016-17, students may answer optional questions about their gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Students may update this information via a paper form at the Highlander One Stop Shop (HOSS) in the Student Services Building until the online student account system is updated to allow students to edit their own record after logging on.

The current UC Admissions application asks these two optional questions:

How do you describe yourself?

Male

Female

Trans Male / Trans Man

Trans Female / Trans Woman

Genderqueer / Gender Non-Conforming

Different Identity

What sex were you assigned at birth (such as on an original birth certificate)?

Male

Female

Please Note: Housing does not use student records for noting residents' gender, but rather defers to responses on the online housing application, which allows students to choose “male,” “female” or “self-identify (fill in a response).”

Preferred Name Definition
A "preferred name" is a name different from a legal name used by someone on an everyday basis. People may choose preferred names based on a nickname, selecting an “Americanized" name, or choosing a name that reflects their gender identity or expression.

UCR Preferred Names for Students
UCR students have the option of creating a "preferred name" for use on campus. See the preferred name FAQ PDF here.

You are able to use a preferred name on your R'Card, R'Mail, iLearn, R'Web, iEval, the faculty grade rosters in iGrade and for departmental reporting purpose. You'll need to take extra steps to update your R'Mail email address, however.

Once you have updated your preferred name in R'Web, you can now choose which email address to send email from.

Within R'Mail:
1. When composing a new email message, you will see a dropdown arrow on the “From” line
2. Click on the arrow and select the address you prefer to send from

*Note - If you want to always send from your preferred address, you'll need to change both your default "From" and "reply-to" address.

· Change default "From" address - To always send email from a different address or alias:

1. On your computer, open R'Mail
2. In the top right, click Settings Settings and then Settings.
3. Click the Accounts and Import or Accounts tab.
4. In the "Send mail as" section to the right of the address you want to use, click make default.

If you are trans and your family or others are not aware of your chosen name at UCR, please consider that your R'Web account will show your preferred name if created. Reflect before giving out password access to your R'Web account.

Please also note that the UCR Directory it will only show your legal name. If you create a Preferred Name R'Mail email address, the preferred name email address will be displayed. However, every student also has the right to opt out of the UCR Directory by updating your privacy settings in R'Web.

Employee Information System
UCR has transitioned to a new information system UC Path. UC Path includes a "preferred name" field and the implementation team is addressing ways to use preferred names on internal records and services. Right now, an employee can input a Preferred Name but it only shows up in the employee's interface when logged onto the portal.

Teaching Assistant Records
Some campus systems, such as iLearn, use graduate students' employee records instead of student records. UCR staff are trying to address the use of preferred names in these instances.

T*Camp is an intercampus retreat to explore gender identity and expression and to engage in dialogue with our peers. This event is specifically for students who are transgender, genderqueer or gender questioning (TGQQ), and is held every January at a camp location. Retreat facilitators include transgender and genderqueer community members, as well as campus LGBT resource professionals.

We encourage you to apply to T*Camp if:

- You are a TGQQ-identified college student
- You wish to explore your own gender identity/expression and engage in dialogue with others
- You wish to build community with your peers across multiple campuses and experiences
- You wish to gain knowledge regarding trans issues, self-care and wellness, and accessing resources and support

The SoCal T*Camp application opens online every October. All UCR students selected to attend will have their fee covered by the LGBT Resource Center.

Contact us to reach Nancy and the rest of the LGBTRC staff if you need help. LGBTRC staff members are available to act as student advocates during this process.

Free Medical Care (Regardless of Health Insurance Coverage)

The LA Gay & Lesbian Center's Trans Health Program offers services on a sliding scale. The Transgender Health Program provides comprehensive primary health care as well as trans-specific services such as pap smears for trans men, prostate exams for trans women, and hormone-therapy supervision and post-surgical care for those who have undergone sex-reassignment surgery. Learn more here.

Trans Group
This discussion group is comprised of UCR students, staff, and faculty and includes those who are trans-identified, genderqueer, gender questioning and partners. Please contact LGBTRC Director Nancy Tubbs at nancy.tubbs@ucr.edu or (951) 827-2267 for more information including meeting times and location.

Asterisk
Asterisk is a registered student organization for trans students and allies that meets weekly. In 2015, Asterisk partnered with the LGBT Resource Center to host the Asterisk Trans* Conference.

T*Camp
T*Camp is an intercampus retreat to explore gender identity and expression and to engage in dialogue with our peers. This event is specifically for students who are transgender, genderqueer, or gender questioning (TGQQ). Applications open online every October, and the retraet is every January.

Tuesday Talks - Fluidity
This Tuesday night discussion group is for those who want to talk about the genderqueer, bisexual, pansexual, trangender, queer and questioning communities, as well as whether or not any labels connected to sexual orientation or gender identity are necessary.